FAIRBANKS -- A 47-year-old Fairbanks man is facing a felony animal cruelty charge for allegedly beating a small dog.

Police say they got a report that Billy Ahkiviana was trying to kill the dog. He was arrested after neighbors called 911 last Friday.

According to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, witnesses told police Ahkiviana punched and kicked the dog and slammed it into the mud. He also allegedly hung the dog by its neck for 10 or 15 seconds by a chain.

The dog was found cowering in a corner of its doghouse and appeared to be emaciated. The dog was taken to a veterinarian and then placed at the Fairbanks North Star Borough Animal Control Shelter.

Ahkiviana is being held at Fairbanks Correctional Center on $6,000 bail.